A British model was drugged, stuffed in a bag, driven to a farmhouse and auctioned as a sex slave by a Dark Web gang has today described how she woke up shackled inside a bag with tape over her mouth.

Online criminal group, known as Black Death, lured Chloe Ayling, 20, to an abandoned shop near Milan's Central Station with the promise of a photoshoot.

She was shoved into the boot and driven 120 miles to a farmhouse in Turin where she was kept for six days. But she was set free when they found out she was a mother of a two-year-old boy.

Describing her horrific ordeal, Miss Ayling, said in a police statement: 'A person wearing black gloves came from behind and put one hand on my neck and one on my mouth to stop me from screaming.

'A second person wearing a black balaclava gave me an injection in my right forearm. I think I lost consciousness. When I woke up I was wearing a pink bodysuit and the socks I am wearing now.

'I realised I was in the boot of a car with my wrists and ankles handcuffed, adhesive tape on my mouth. I was inside a bag and was only able to breathe through a small hole.'

Chloe Ayling was drugged, handcuffed and loaded into a car boot in Milan before being driven 120 miles to a farmhouse in Turin where she was kept for six days. But she was set free when they found out she was a mother of a two-year-old boy

Chloe Ayling, 20, talking from her doorstep in South London this afternoon after her horrific ordeal in Italy and Paris

The British model, pictuered, who was drugged, stuffed in a bag, driven to a farmhouse and auctioned as a sex slave by a Dark Web gang has described how she woke up shackled inside a bag with tape over her mouth

It is thought that she was bundled into a car and taken to an abandoned industrial unit, where her kidnapper attempted to sell her on the dark web

Model Chloe Ayling at home with her dog in Coulsden, Surrey after returning from Milan following a kidnapping by Polish terror gang

When officers arrested him he was found in possession of a pamphlet on Black Death which offers the sexual services of women for auction

An image supposedly uploaded to the dark web by Black Death shows a woman alongside details including measurements and nationality, although the picture is believed to be a scene from a pornographic film

Having been flown back to the UK, speaking at her three-bedroom terraced home in Coulsdon, south London, Miss Ayling said she 'feared for her life' during her ordeal.

On her doorstep today, the 20-year-old model said: 'I've been through a terrifying experience. I've feared for my life, second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour.

'I'm incredibly grateful to the Italian and UK authorities for all they have done to secure my safe release.

'I have just arrived home after four weeks and haven't had time to collect my thoughts.

'I am not at liberty to say anything further until I have been debriefed by the UK police.'

It is the second time the young model has been left fearing for her life this year having been caught up in the terror attack on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

She was walking down the world famous avenue having visited the city for a photoshoot in April when ISIS gunmen with AK-47s started spraying bullets in an attack that killed policeman Xavier Jugele.

Having been flown back to the UK speaking from her three-bedroom terraced home in Coulsdon, south London, Chloe Ayling spoke of her horrific experience

The online criminals, known as Black Death, lured the model, 20, whose identity has not been revealed, from Paris to an abandoned shop near Milan 's Central Station with the promise of a photoshoot

Chloe Ayling, pictured, describing how she woke up shackled inside a suitcase with her mouth covered in tape

In a list of terms and conditions, the advert states: 'Girls can be transported globally, we have contractors for that, for a price ... EU delivery is free, might take time dependant on current location and drop-off point.' It notes the British model's details as 'Born in UK; Abducted in Italy; Held in Germany; 19 year old; Caucasian; 34DD-25-35; Beginner model; Starting bid $300,000. Auction takes place 16.7.2017'

Police in Italy say Lukasz Herba , pictured, 'kidnapped and tried to sell a British model on the dark web for £270,000'

Two pairs of handcuffs were among the evidence which was seized by police following the discovery of the kidnapped model

Chloe Ayling's family feared they would never see her again having been lured from the UK with the promise of a photoshoot

Her family admitted they thought they would never see her again and a friend told the Daily Mirror: 'They thought they would never see her alive again. She has been through hell. We just want to get her home'.

A spokesman for her agency said: 'She has been with the police visiting the crime scene. I have been in touch with her family the whole time. Our prime concern now is to get her back safely.'

At a sensational police press conference in Milan her captor was named as Polish-born Lukasz Herba, 30, who is accused of trying to sell her on the internet for 300,000 Euros (£270,000) through bitcoin. When officers arrested him he was found in possession of a pamphlet on Black Death which offers the sexual services of women for auction.

A picture supposedly uploaded to the organisation's website showed a topless woman tied up alongside details including measurements and nationality in an apparent advertisement - although the image is believed to have been taken from an unrelated pornographic film.

In a list of terms and conditions the advert, which was released by police in Italy, states: 'Girls can be transported globally, we have contractors for that, for a price... EU delivery is free, might take time dependant on current location and drop-off point.'

It notes the British model's details as 'Born in UK; Abducted in Italy; Held in Germany; 19 year old; Caucasian; 34DD-25-35; Beginner model; Starting bid $300,000. Auction takes place 16.7.2017'.

Describing her horrific ordeal, Chloe Ayling (pictured left and right) said: 'A person wearing black gloves came from behind and put one hand on my neck and one on my mouth to stop me from screaming,' the woman told police

She was drugged with ketamine at an abandoned office, pictured, an Italian court heard, where she was told the photoshoot would take place

Officers have since cordoned off the property and say she was going to be released by the kidnappers because 'she was a mother with a two-year-old child'

She was loaded into the back of the vehicle and kept in the bag for two-and-a-half hours during the 120-mile drive from Milan to Turin, pictured

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According to media reports, Herba rented the cottage in Turin telling the property's owner that he was an artist who wanted to find 'inspiration' for his paintings.

Italian police say the offender demanded 50,000 Euros (£45,000) to free her and 'threatened to kill her' if she told officers what happened to her.

Authorities said the kidnappers were going to release her 'because she had a two-year-old child' and their 'rules exclude kidnapping mothers'.

In a letter sent to the victim upon her release, Black Death told her that a 'mistake' had been made in capturing her.

It added that she had been let go after one of its men made 'a clear and solid stance in your case'.

The National Crime Agency aided the Italian authorities by carrying out a raid on Herba's second-floor Birmingham flat shortly after he was arrested.

An NCA spokesperson confirmed the address was linked to Herba's family and was searched in connection with the investigation in Italy.

The spokesperson said: 'The National Crime Agency and the East Midlands Special Operations Unit have been providing support to the Italian authorities during this investigation.'

The NCA is also believed to be investigating the Black Death Group, the mysterious organisation that operates on the dark web and claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

He said: 'We collaborate with our international partners in order to make the dark web a less attractive place for criminals to operate, however we do not comment on specific websites or operations.'

'THIS IS JUST BUSINESS': WHAT BLACK DEATH TOLD THE MODEL

'You are being released as a huge generosity from Black Death Group. Your release does, however, come with a warning and you should read this letter very carefully.

'You are certainly aware of your value on human slavery market (sic) and must make a note that this isn't personal, this is business. For your release we have taken a number of factors into consideration.

'A mistake was made by capturing you, especially considering you are a young mother that should have in no circumstances be lured into kidnapping. Second important factor (sic) you are very well aware of is your overall protection by one of our main and very well respected men who made a very clear and solid stance in your case.

'You will, upon your landing in your home country cease any investigation activities related to your kidnapping. You also agreed to sneak a pre-determined set of information in to the media and we will expect to see evidence that has been done in the near future.

'You and your family will, in no way ever talk about us in bad language and without respect. You have been treated fairly, with respect and we expect to hear exactly the same about us in return. You can release any information you have heard from MO while your holding as he would never give you any information that could harm our activities. We will not tolerate lying about anything that has happened.

'You have also agreed to pay outstanding costs of your release of $50,000. We expect that money to be paid in BitCoins within one month.

'Any sort of disobedience with the above will result in your elimination.'

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Officers seized Herba, who is believed to live in the West Midlands, near the British Consulate on July 17 as he was accompanying the model there and said he confessed to the crime.

Police said she was held for a week in abandoned offices in the city and officers are now looking for accomplices after the model told them she was 'attacked by two people'.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said an address in Sampson Close in Oldbury was raided on July 18 in connection with the investigation.

Prosecutors in Italy said Herba was linked to the 'Black Death' criminal organisation that works on the dark web.

They also alleged Herba had dealings in 'chemicals and poisons' as he faced a pre-trial hearing before magistrate Anna Magelli in Milan on Friday.

Police said the model was driven 120 miles to a farmhouse in Turin, pictured, and officers are now looking for accomplices after the model told them she was 'attacked by two people'

Pictured: The interior 'dungeon' of the farmhouse where the model was kept for six days before she was taken back to Milan to be released

Police found a small bedroom, pictured, in the property but it is unclear whether it was used by the model or the kidnapper

Prosecutors in Italy said Herba was linked to the 'Black Death' criminal organisation that works on the dark web

Police also released an image of Herba's passport in which he went by another name, Daniel Zawada, as well as a card with a bizarre image that appears to contain contact details for the 'Black Death' group

A court heard she had been lured to Milan from Paris but was kidnapped in a 'very well organised seizure' at the shop, pictured

Reports in Italy said the woman has given statements to police and prosecutors aided by lawyers from the British Consulate.

A Milan court heard the woman arrived in Milan on July 11 and was seized near the central station when she was drugged with ketamine.

Prosecutors described the kidnapping as a 'very well-organised seizure' and added he was contacted over the internet two days later with requests to 'buy' her for sexual purposes.

Police say they are still unclear whether the kidnappers were running an online scam to con 'buyers' out of money or whether they actually intended to sell her on.

Police found several items belonging to the model. pictured, in the shop in Milan as well as a card with a picture relating to the 'Black Death' group

It appears the model was stripped of some of her clothing with items found abandoned on the shop floor by police

The shop, pictured, has been sealed off while a vehicle belonging to Herba was searched with the woman's hair found inside

Police say they have not established whether the online auction was a scam or if the kidnappers actually intended to sell the model

Prosecutors added Herba was contacted over the internet two days later with requests to 'buy' her for sexual purposes while she was at the Turin farmhouse, pictured

MYSTERY OF ONLINE CRIME SYNDICATE: WHO OR WHAT IS BLACK DEATH?

Little is known about the Black Death criminal syndicate that is said to operate on the dark web.

They are said to have been set up during the early days of the internet in 1994 and are involved in various crimes.

When police arrested Herba they found a pamphlet associated with the group which said they operate in 'disturbing' areas including bombing, drug dealing, human trafficking and arms dealing.

A note was also found addressed to the victim saying she was being released due to the 'huge generosity' of the group.

It went on to say one of their members 'made a case' to release her which was granted due to her 'status as a young mother', with her kidnapping branded 'a mistake'.

A leaflet advertising Black Death's services was found by police alongside a note to the victim explaining why she was being released

But it came with a warning not to tell authorities about the kidnapping and she was told 'never to talk about us in bad language and without respect'.

The note said the model had been 'treated fairly and with respect' and the group expected the same.

A picture also showed a cartoon of doctors from the mid 1300s wearing 'plague masks' with hooked noses which they believed would protect them from 'putrid air' which was thought to carry the disease.

There has been some debate as to whether Black Death is real or an online scam.

Writer Joseph Cox who works for internet site Motherboard said he tried to investigate their dealings in 2015 and tried to enter an auction for a woman.

After exchanging numerous emails, the group wrote to him: 'We don't invite strangers to auctions. We don't want popularity. No Europol. No people just looking around. No journalists or bloggers. Just serious business.'

Officers went through Herba's phone and computer and said they found photos of the woman and material stating she was for sale, while hair from both the model and Herba was found in the boot of his car.

It is understood the police investigation involved reconstructing the kidnapping scene and studying CCTV footage from the area.

They also traced his mobile phone and tracked down a taxi driver who gave him a lift and were able to lie in wait at the Consulate for him.

But reports in La Stampa alleged Herba had contacted the model's agent and demanded the same £270,000 price for her freedom.

The agent then contacted police and Herba reportedly negotiated a £50,000 ransom with them which he expected to receive at the Consulate.

The Foreign Office confirmed it was providing assistance to the woman in Italy and is also cooperating with local authorities.

Neighbours confirmed that Lukasz lived alone in a small block of flats off a residential street in Oldbury, Birmingham.

They reported that police had search the property two weeks ago, but that Lukasz himself had not been there for three weeks.

According to neighbours he would come and go often, speeding up to the front of the building in a red Toyota wearing a suit.

A car has been found and is being treated as evidence by police in the investigation into the model's kidnapping

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: 'Police came here about two weeks ago and kicked the door down.

'It was 2:30 in the morning and really loud. I had no idea what was going on, and I jumped out of bed to see them smashing their way into the flat.

'I never really used to talk to him as he was often out. As far as I know he lived alone. I never saw anyone else go into the flat.

'I had no idea he had travelled to Milan. I was completely shocked to hear about him being arrested.'

Another neighbour, who works as a quality controller for Dreams bedroom store, said: 'The last time I saw him was three weeks ago.

'He used to drive a red Toyota and come racing up to the front door before driving off again about half an hour later. He was never in the flat for long.

'He was always dressed in suits, but he never said anything. He never gave the impression of being friendly.'

Opposite the abandoned shop to where the kidnapping took place last month is a modelling agency.

Samuele Cammilleri, who lives in the area, said: 'There's a modelling agency behind the sliding gate. We see a lot of models every day. They come here for casting at about 1pm. There's about 15 or 20 in each group.'

Mr Cammilleri said that building had remained closed for some time.

He added: 'It was an old shop but it has been closed for five years, maybe more. I have never seen anyone go in or out of it. It was a textiles storage shop I think, but I'm not sure.

'Two weeks ago the police came and opened the gate and went in. The area is very quiet and calm. No one could imagine what was happening.

'It's very strange that they used this place because there are a lot of people here during the week.'

A pair of trainers is among the evidence being examined by police following the shock discovery that the model had been kidnapped

It is understood the police investigation involved reconstructing the kidnapping scene and studying CCTV footage from the area

David Grifone, 28, who lives next to the building, said: 'There was often a big car that used to stop in front of the building.

'I never saw anybody go in but my girlfriend's father saw a man on a few occasions.

'We thought it was maybe drug trafficking but when we saw the news yesterday it was a shock.

'We used to see the guy waiting. We thought maybe he was waiting for a friend.

'The car used to be outside for maybe two days a week. We had seen them outside for about two weeks.

'I think for a month maybe they came back here to give her food.

'We heard nothing. We didn't hear any voices.'

Stefania Cappelletti, 39, who also lives in the flats next door and has lived in the area since she was little, said: 'I found out about it yesterday on the television.

'We found the paper that said the shop was closed for the police. It was such a shock.

'It was a shop for private deliveries but then it was closed and they did some work inside. It was a delivery shop for a long time.

'The painting was done one or two weeks before the start of July at the start of summer.

'I never saw the man in the street. The only man I saw inside was the painters. I thought they wanted a new look to the shop.

'It's shocking because I work at night and I come back at midnight sometimes and I never noticed anything.

'The first thing I though was did she hear me try to feed the cats and try to shout? It was very strange to me.

'The only thing I thought was that the man might have used it because there's a casting place opposite. When there's casting here there are a lot of girls.

'The buildings have the same owner but I don't think there's a connection.'

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: 'We have been providing consular support to a British woman in Italy and are in touch with local authorities.'